Wednesday, June 29, 2005

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Everyday I read a couple of articles from the websites of Philippine newspapers and media outfits. To get the facts out in this country you really have to read two or accounts of the event from the different media entities. Today as I was perusing the Philippine Inquirer I came across an article a few rows below the PGMA-related articles. Alcuin Papa reported that a survey conducted by the global market research organization

Today in the Philippines 29 June 2005:
1) Groups demanding Gloria to resign -
People clamoring for the President's resignation:
We have Brother Eddie Villanueva - Lost in the last Presidential election
We have Sen Raul Roco - Lost in the last Presidential election
We have Congressman Francis Ecudero - His presidential candidate FPJ lost in the last Presidential election and died.
We have Makati Mayor J Binay - His presidential candidate FPJ Lost in the last Presidential election and died.
We have the cause oriented groups - They are always against those in power. I wonder what will happen when get real power. Let's see they were anti-GATT, anti-VAT, anti-Erap and now Anti-Gloria.
So who are these groups calling for Arroyo to resign? The same people seeking her ouster from office from the beginning of her term.
Its nice to see different people uniting for the ouster of a president. Problem is such alliances are as solid as air and as permanent as the morning dew.
2) First Gentleman voluntary leaving the Philippines -
Mike Arroyo to be exiled. This should have been done 1st day of her Presidency. Maybe it should be a law. I hope he drags his brother and son away as well.
3) Congressman Roilo Golez quits KAMPI -
Is this the case of ratsleaving the sinking ship of Iggy Arroyo, Mikee Arroyo and Reynaldo Puno's Pro-GMA congressional party. By the way GMA is still part Lakas-NUCD. Must be a dark sky for fair-weathered allies.
Speaking of political entities. The recent weeks has seen the Philippine politics version of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Political Zombies have been reappearing an haunting prime time. Oliver Lozano non-winning political candidate and KBL-affiliated gadfly is back filing the impeachment case against Gloria in the lower house, Unido-KBL-Trillanes fan Homo Bono Adaza is also back, and so is Mr Ronald Lumbao. Now we just Eddie Gil, at least Gil amuses.
4) ABS-CBN -
Is it me or is the coverage of ABS-CBN is adapting an overt anti-GMA stance? Whatever happened to impartial news coverage. Six feet under the ground along with public service. It seems that what matters most now is the ratings and vested political interests.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Commuting along Edsa

I rarely drive the car nowadays. The only time I get to drive a car is when it is Lenten and Christmas season.
From work I ride the MRT, the local train system on EDSA, it takes around ten to twenty minutes to reach Cubao. If you take the train at around 3.00 it is highly probable that you will get a seat. Past four or five when the volume of passengers geometrically increases the least like you will get a seat plus the train gets crowded. Most experienced mrt patrons from Makati would resort to taking a roundtrip in order to get a seat. A roundtrip is when you ride the South-bound train up to the last station, from Ayala that is around just a station away, and riding the next North-bound train leaving the last station. This way one get to seat or at least secure a comfortable place to stand, usually the area between the two coaches. I do this whenever I have to go home late and when the number of people, waiting for the North-bound train at the Ayala Station, fill the platform. It is important to remember if you are doing the roundtrip method of riding the MRT to give up your seat to a lady, senior citizen and differently abled individuals coming in from the next station. Better yet find a comfortable place to stand.
Going to work I ride the FX Tamaraw. The FX as it is more popularly know in a Toyota Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) used to ferry people on land from places like Cubao to Makati. From Cubao to Makati, specifically Paseo de Roxas in my case cost around 35 pesos per passenger. The FX jazzed-up version of the jeepney can seat around eleven people, including the driver.
Interesting things FX rides the more regular you ride it the more familiar you become with your co-passengers. I usually take the first trip of the day, this usually leaves around 6:00 to 6:30 am. The FXs are driven by retired and off-duty cops and military men. So it is not uncommon to see Philippine National Police (PNP) uniform inside the car or special license plate with PARAK , Pilipino slang for cop, on the front of the car. There are of course well maintened FXs and ill-maintained FXs and punters develop preference for specific FXs and drivers. Among the FX drivers I think Mang Elmer a big sanguine man would be the favorite driver of the commuters. His FX is always clean and nice smelling. The air-conditioning system works. He often goes out of his way to drop off his passengers near their destination. Mang Elmer is also quite the gabber but not in the negative sort of way. Always smiling and accomodating to his passengers. Aside from Elmer and his other colleague who is just called Sarge one meets and become familiar with the other people sharing the ride with you. The BIR guy who seems to be on friendly terms with the FX drivers. Matrons working at the different government offices in Makati. People in their twenties working in Makati. The woman who had unkempt hair, which she cropped after a month or two. Her hair is still unkempt but now shorter. May be she got tired of wearing it long. This pseudo-familiarity becomes apparent one of your fellow-commuter goes missing. Questions you think about as the FX traverses Edsa: Are they on leave? Sick or Vacation leave? Or maybe they may be working for a new company? New shifit schedule or new location? Or were they fired or lost their job, of course you hope not. But you wonder what became of them.
You notice a lot of things when you are commuting.

For her opponents its too early to rejoice.
Fortunately, I was not able to see GMA's mea culpa speach last night. I was having dinner with friends at Rodics, my day was not ruined.
Eventually, I had to view the little sorry speech this morning and read the transcript of her speech. A few significant points were made amidst the I am sorry mantra.
One, she apologised for talking to a comelec official after the May 2004 elections.
Two, she stressed that she won the divisive presidential election.
Three, she took office with a mandate to pursue crucial reforms for the country.
Simply said: she apologised for talking to a comelec official after the May elections and she will not resign.
Is she a lame duck or dead meat as some pundits and opponents say. Despite the obvious schadenfreude and blood thirst, of her critics, only time will tell. Estrada fell because he abandoned his Presidency. A few months later Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez faced the same dilema but did not leave office despite the protests and rallues. Chavez is still the president of Venezuela.
You have to impeach her first. And in order to impeach GMA you have to file the case in Congress where she has the numbers. And now that she admits that she talked with a comelec official, the tapes may be inadmissable as evidence. Remember you need admissible proof to impeach someone. And those seeking to oust Arroyo by legal means need proof.
Assuming that the opposition is succesful in making progress in an impeachment case and they have her impeached. She will be replaced by the VP Noli De Castro, who is not one with the oppostion but with the LP - Franklin Drilon and friends. I do not think they are in the mood to prepare and cook their meal for somebody else. Maybe that is why some opposition leaders are asking for a snap election and Loren Legarda is willing to spend for her electoral protest.
Then there is of course the People Power route. Demonstrations and civil disobedience in order to pressure GMA to resign. This involves marching in the street with more than the usual coterie of leftists and Erap loyalists. In other words you have to get the middle class of Metro Manila. I doubt you can do this given the fatigue, caused disenchantment and betrayal from the political promises of Edsa I, II, and III, of the people. Aside from that you have to contend with the rainy season. And you have to have rallying point an assasination a cover up by the senate, so far what they have is wiretapped conversation that is on the basic level improper but not criminal. Then of course the degree of guilt or non-guilt will depend on what side of the political fence you are sitting. And probably more importantly it has been consistently said and unfortunately critically ignored by most Manila-based intellectuals and activists is that Metro Manila maybe where the seat of government is but it is not the whole of the Philippines.
Against the issue of electoral scandal, corruption and political injustice is the trump card called the promise of stability. Which weighs more heavily on a country plagued by non-ending political problems outrage or the desire for stability?

Monday, June 27, 2005

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I finally got what H2G2 means. HitchHiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Universe tells the adventure of Arthur Dent the lone male survivor of the recently destructed planet Earth, accompanied by eccentric friends and fellow-travelers and aided by the most important book in space, The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Universe.

Political madness, ad-naseum and prudence

Political madness seems to be predominating the Philippine environment.
Protagonists on the Gloriagate issue seems to be trading barbs and accusations without proving or disproving the veracity of the tape and said contents. Most pundits have already parlayed doom's day scenarios and ventured forth their views on the moral issue without verifying the authenticity of the alleged recordings.
Allegations regarding political protection of illegal number games are being brought to fore by a man of the cloth and his venue not the court of law but of public opinon. His willing audience the legislature where it is being heard in aid of legislation. What legislation is this in aid of ?
Daily the news network and the print media have been sensationalising the issue and confusing the discussion. To the point that people are becoming sick of the whole thing.
Better to seat back and be prudent check things out. No use being a cannon fodder for the different factions attempting to gain political ascendancy.
Cicero, a Roman politician, advocate and famed orator, noted while he saw the Roman Republic falling into the clutches of the Julii, Ceasar and Octavius (who would later become Augustus), that abuse of liberties will result in slavery.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

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There seems to be an influx of cheaper DVDs entering the Philippine market. A forthnight or two weeks ago, I was at a video store at Rockwell and noticed a DVD of the movie Love Actually only selling for 275 pesos. And last weekend, I saw a shelf of original DVDs priced between 299 to 350 pesos for sale at the video store at Gateway.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Testimonial Dinner at the Manila Hotel

Last night, the whole family attended a testimonial dinner in honor for a group of people who have excelled in their professions. My father was one of the recipients of life time achievement award. It was held at Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel. The ticket to the dinner cost around 1,300 pesos. I guess its all for a good cause, perhaps it was also a fund raising event,hopefully.
The Manila Hotel has been standing beside Manila Bay even before World War II (WWII) and it had been witness to events that have affected the Philippines from before WWII to the present.
The Manila Hotel as the abode of McArthur
The Manila Hotel was the former residence of Gen McArthur. After his early retirement from the US Army he serves as President Quezon's military adviser and he was given the rank of Field Marshall. His task was to prepare an army for the soon to be indpendent Commonwealth. World War II came and McArthur found himself heading the Pacific Theatre of War against the Japanese Imperial Army. His former secretary Eisenhower was in charge of the Allied efforts against the Third Reich and its allies. A few years after leaving the Philippines, McArthur fulfilled his promise and returned to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese Empire. The liberation of course levelled Manila and destroyed the suite of McArthur at Manila Hotel. McArthur believed that the Japanese would leave his quarters alone out of respect for a fellow-warrior. What the Japanese officers did not steal for keepsake were destroyed when the Americans shelled Manila to spook out the Imperial Naval Forces of Japan, Yamashita left Manila but the Japanese Admiral did not feel it was honorable to retreat so literally fortified his command in Manila with guns from his warships. D. I do not know if the present McArthur Suite is the actual room the Philippine government provided for McArthur, yes we Quezon's government paid for McArthur's living expenses and salary.
The Manila Hotel in recent years
The Hotel is also remembered where one of the zaniest rebellion against Cory Aquino occured. A mob of Marcos loyalists held a rally at Luneta and for some reason proceeded to the Manila Hotel, along the way they mauled a man wearing a yellow shirt (political supporters of Cory Aquino wore yellow shirts). The Marcos loyalists occupied the hotel for a couple of days and even proclaimed then Marcos VP candidate the late Senator Arturo Tolentino as President. The government forces surrounded the hotel and use tear gas to ferret them out. Tolentino was of course nowhere to be found when the smoked cleared.
The Manila Hotel during the testimonial dinner
Entering the lobby one might never knew what the hotel endured since it was built the carnage of war and the destruction of the mob. It is still in pristine condition. Maybe a little bit old but still stylish. The only overtlt modern thing in the hotel seemed to be security checks, the x-ray machine and guards at the entrance of the lobby. Signs of the times I guess. A lot of cops too were present. Maybe they were preparing security for the visit of the Indonesian and Ghambian President.
The food was haute cuisine blue plate, utterly non - satisfying. I must say for 1,300 pesos one sort of expects more. But that is the nature of fund-raising events, I guess.
What sort of killed the evening though was the marathon of speeches. Aside from the guest of honor. Nearly all major recipients and officer of the body had a prepared a thirty or so minutes speech mentioning everything and thanking nearly everyone. It did not take long before the particpants started to talking among themselves and ignore the speakers. Of course there were a few who still listened and people cheered whenever anyone they knew was mentioned.
The night ended with the penultimate speech that nearly no one listened to. What registered though was the announcement of the socials - some sort of ballroom dancing with music Lady Valerie and her combo. The announcement was the signal for people to leave, which the people promptly did.
Despite the food, the speeches with sedatory effect on most persons. The event was a success for me since my father was honored for his work and that is what counts.
I wonder what McArthur's ghost would be telling if he still walked the halls and lobby of Manila hotel. Maybe the old General is still in search for Dimples, his Filipina companion, or his keepsakes that the Japanese generals stole.

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Inside the u-shaped shoe district of Cubao, also known as Shoe Expo, lies a bookstore. Chanced upon the bookstore last week when I was walking home with a friend. Now Shoe Expo has seen better days. I used to remember buying shoes from the Otto stores there. There are still shoe stores there but I do not know if they are making money. Some of the stores, those located in the horizontal part of the u are gone.

Friday, June 17, 2005

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Just when you thought Hollywood movies had reached its nadir then it hits you with Frank Miller's Sin City and now Batman Begins.
Christian Bale is the Batman. Who would have thought that the boy in Empire of the Sun would be the Batman. But he is the Batman. The movie is a perfect example of movies adapted from comics. Furthermore, the new helming of the movie has succesfully transformed the movie from its predecessors in that it seemed to have choosen between its two persona, the campy Batman of 1960s and the more darker Batman comic fans are familiar with.

POLITICS: Opinion makers and rationalism

READER BEWARE/READER ADVISORY/CAVEAT LECTOR: This post is a commentary on a specific political event affecting Philippines society. The writer while trying to be balanced in his assessment or read of situation is also aware that whatever he does the post will always include his point of views on the matter. As such this not simply a record of events. Thanks!
You just cannot help it. Public opinion makers cannot just stop making statements about the alleged recorded conversation between GMA and Garci. Everytime you switch to a talk show that is all you see and hear. Gloria-gate. I guess its inevitable.
Last week, an analyst on tv postulated that the whole thing was arranged by the Americans. Strains with GMA started after she withdrew from the coalition of the willing because of the Mawanay affair. Unfortunately, this form of thinking betrays a mind set trapped in a Cold War mental frame of mind. Its the rightist version of the leftist's Maoist dementia, a perfect example of is the Netherlands-based Joma Sison, who still dreams of a Communist Philippines. Maybe somebody should tell him the only reason Castro lasted up to the present is because of the USSR sugar quota and later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the return of the hotels and casinos.
Then last Wednesday I watched the usual placid UP Prof Randy David in a rare tempest mood. What set him to ranting? The Gloriagate tapes of course. He was quite certain that it was GMA and Garci ,easier to say that than his surname, on the recorded conversation. The flaw in that claim is the hearing and memory can be deceived. In order to make certain that the voice is that of GMA you need unrefutable proof - Is the physical characteristic of the voice in the recording the same as GMA's voice?. Prof David argued also that since the areas mentioned in the conversation corresponded to the areas where the FPJ camp claims they were cheated. If the conversation was manufactured it would be easy to insert these information. And in his column today Prof David deconstructed the conversation using a sub-specialty in sociology called ethnomethodology. It is an interesting side postulate on the conversation controversy. Prof David claims that because of the length and fluidity of the conversation it was impossible for it to have been contrived and he also used words from the conversation that he termed as gloss or euphemisms as proof that the conversation was about poll cheating. However, one needs only a skilled writer to produce a good dialogue that is fluid and not feel contrived. One should note that it took almost a year before the conversations surfaced and within that time several things could have been accomplished.
Interpretations and counter-interpretations can be constructed about the conversations. But I think all this interpretations are useless because we do not know if the conversations are genuine or not. There are three originals in the Philippines and one in the US it would seem that none of them have been checked by an independent expert. At present the person who recorded the conversation has not yet appeared. One was about to appear but now he has retracted and alleges he was convinced ,with money and a promise of position in government, to falsely claim that he was responsible for the recording and he was coming out now to unmask the anomalies in the last election. Without a wiretapper your wiretap-product is critically compromised.
SO what does the public opinion makers and the opposition proposes? The President comment whether or not the recording is true. Now the political opposition and some opinion makers are asking the President if the allegations is true and come clean. If she remains quiet then she is pressumed to be guilty. Unfortunately like most of us GMA does not possess the skill nor the technical equipment to verify if the recordings are real. Until a technical analysis of the tape is done it would be useless to issue any statement. Any statement based only on personal conviction or belief at this point is fatal to negative perception. The President's statement will only have weight and of importance if the technical analysis and authenticity of recording supported her statement of inocence
Of course it has been argued that the issue is now in the realm of public opinion and proof of burden is not on the accuser but the accused. Really, so we have to do away with proof? Suspension of disbelief only applies in works of fiction. Does that mean the one holding the recordings will leave it at that? It is not only important to ascertain that the recording are genuine but also to authenticate the recordings are true, meaning they are wiretapped conversations actually happened for this you need the one who did the wiretapping.
Is public opinion now a euphemism for the mob?
Rational thinking should be employed in this issue. Anything less is an appeal to emotion and a descent into prejudice in a sense a lynch mob.
For the moment it seems the lynch mob is limited to pundits and the politicians. Opinions are flying left and right. Again I think insisting on a rationale discourse is important and a good barometer to measure the arguments from both sides.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

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Discovered the Quotation Page website today. The website has been in exsistence since 1994 and is said to be the oldest quotation site on the Web. Some of the quotations found in the Quotations page.
Of Politics:
Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable. - John Kenneth Galbraith
Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. - Ambrose Bierce
Of Politicians:
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river. - Nikita Khruschev
Now I know what a statesman is; he's a dead politician. We need more statesmen. - Bob Edwards
Under every stone lurks a politician. - Aristophanes
You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner. - Aristophanes
Of Cynicism:
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. - George Bernard Shaw
Of Idealism and Cynicism:
Cynics regarded everybody as equally corrupt... Idealists regarded everybody as equally corrupt, except themselves. - Robert Anton Wilson

Monday, June 13, 2005

Politics: Independence Day and Holiday Economics

READER BEWARE/READER ADVISORY/CAVEAT LECTOR: This post is a commentary on a specific political event affecting Philippines society. The writer while trying to be balanced in his assessment or read of situation is also aware that whatever he does the post will always include his point of views on the matter. As such this not simply a record of events. Thanks!
By virtue of President GMA's Holiday Economics Policy today, 13th of June 2005, is a holiday. Holiday Economics Policy is the present government's penchant for declaring monday a holiday if a public holiday falls on a Sunday. Supposedly this policy was enforced in order to promote local tourism. This year's Indepence day celebration seem to have come, gone and went without much fanfare.
Perhaps the people were just tired of all the politics and scandals exploding all over the place. The jueteng exposes and legislative investigations used by opposing sides of the spectrum to protect and promote their own interests. Allegations of electoral fraud that surfaced again seem to muddle up further the state of politics. Political pundits were predicting dire political scenarios and politicians and political groups were calling for a change of government. Political followers and the media were spoiling for a fight. So what happened? Nothing short of anti-climactic.
What was the message to our politicos and media. I think as whole people are just tired of all this politics and media's penchant for sensationalising the issues without providing a critical view of the information. The people have better things to do, like earning money and spending time with their love ones, than be pawns of politicians or statistics of media companies trying to one-up each other.
For me the government should stop releasing statements that they aim to do this or do that, just do. And for both the opposition and administration politicians the lust for power is all to clear in their actions, even if they dress it up in issues and principles of the profound. And for the media companies focus more on getting the truth without placing excessive emphasis on the most shocking and emotive aspects of the issues. News coverage like government service is a public service, you can earn higher ratings from your drama shows.
As for me I spent the weekend as I normally do with family and friends. Some members of our family still had to work and I prepared the food for merienda cena on 12th, a post birthday remembrance with friends.

Friday, June 10, 2005

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Some critics and film reviewers dubbed it as the motionless picture. The first full-length movie of the Enterprise crew.
It was said that the director Robert Wise focused on developing the movie in the style of Space Oddysey. And it is highly evident in the scene where Kirk comes aboard the Enterprise. The viewer is entertained by a slow meandering of camera shots as Scotty and Kirk approach the Enterprise.

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As I was doing my daily surfing of the blogosphere I came across Dean's adventure with a guppy in fishbowl. After posting what I hope are helpful comments I immediately remembered this blog. This has to be my most neglected blog. So catalysed by the lack of attention this blog has been getting I resolved to do something about it. I will talk about stocking rates. Or how to stock the correct number of fishes in the tank.

Thursday, June 09, 2005

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I really should stop buying books. It is a financial drain. So what are the solutions aside from borrowing and downloading e-books. Be finicky. Now I know that finecky is a negative term that means giving to much attention to detail. Maybe the better term would be to adopt a demanding or thorough or meticulous framework in purchasing a book. In other set-up a criteria ,standards or measures, where you can decide if the book is to be purchased or not.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Politics: Gary or Gracillano or nobody

READER BEWARE/READER ADVISORY/CAVEAT LECTOR: This post is a commentary on a specific political event affecting Philippines society. The writer while trying to be balanced in his assessment or read of situation is also aware that whatever he does the post will always include his point of views on the matter. As such this not simply a record of events. Thanks!
My holiday was interrupted periodically, but not numerously at least, by latest political scandal or un-scandal festering inside Philippine society. The so called recorded conversation between GMA and FG with one of their political operators- depending on the version you hear or read its "Gary" or Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Gracillano. I have monitored the news and read the transcript and I jotted down some of my thoughts.
1. The said conversations ,both Palace and the one released by a former Estrada lawyer, is not the original. According to the rumor mills, It would seem that the taped conversation were in the market for some time. Despite this rumour though both taped conversations are not the original.
2. The Palace got its version very quickly seems to indicate two things. One is that the tape must be for sale. Or they have prior access to it.
3. After reading the transcripts, reading the transcript seems more practical than listening to the audio, at the PCIJ Blog site it would seem to me at least that there is no evidence of cheating. The conversations in that transcript seems to be an exchange between a politician and his political underling or assistant that focuses on the development during the presidential election.
4. One this is certain though the incident has become a news event that has stolen the steam from the jueteng investigation. Politicians from across the broad spectrum of Philippine society have gone into their pavlovian-like stances and actions. Newspaper and media firms seem to be over anxious to this new story. Before you can say jueteng scandal the news programs are now featuring the authenticity of two non-original audio files, on how to wiretap a cellphone and playing a game of mystery in order to pin-point who is the perpatrator.
5. One has to ask oneself who has the technical know-how and the finances to wiretap the President? And why was this not revealed during the canvassing or when FPJ was still alive? And who benefits short term and long term from this revalation?
6. Most important question is the taped conversation genuine? For all we know this conversation could have been fabricated. There is no shortage of people mimicking the voices of famous people. Also we have at present technology that could copy the voice of any individual, especially a politician. The original recording is vital to this.
7. Edgardo Ruado has surfaced and claimed that he is "Gary". Ruado further claims that what was said during the conversation between him and the first couple were what he considers to be normally discussed in a political campaign. Based on the transcript found in the PCIJ blog I tend to agree with him.
So what can be said of this recorded conversation? Is it the smoking gun or is it a puff of smoke? So big and yet so empty. Designed to impress but ultimately designed to fall under its own weight. Or is it the truth, if it is the truth was anything wrong done and can it be proven? Or is just wishful thinking or confirmation bias for the anti-GMA people.
Somebody released the tape. Find that person and locate the original tape and you might find the answer.
Then again one could just flip to Darna and enjoy the fantaserye.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Beautiful day

I just came back from the office pantry. And if you have ever been to our office, which is located inside a building in the central business district of Makati, the first thing you notice is that we have a wonderful view of Metro Manila.
You can see the whole of Manila Bay, the hills of Antipolo and even a glimpse of Laguna lake.
Now this particular day as I prepared to go home. My gaze shifted towards the Manila side and there it was, probably the most beautiful scene.
A clear blue sky punctuated with clouds on its fringes and below it the deep blue haze of Manila bay, tranquil under rays of the sun and if you look afar you will see the two islands that protected the mouth of the bay.
Sights like these sometimes takes all the stress away.
Have a nice weekend :)

End of the week

Friday, end of the work week for me. Today is the 3rd day of June 2005. Two days to recharge oneself in preparation for the coming week. So what happened this week and what is happening this weekend?
Several prominent personalities of Philippine society died this week. Mostly reporters and writers the most recent one being Teodoro Benigno Jr. Everything has a beginning and an end.
The jueteng scandal has proven to be a waste of time.
And the President is thinking of changing the constitution.
How will weekend develop?
Well most likely I will be going out with my nephews to watch a movie or probably ramble around sunken garden at the University of the Philippines. If we are going to watch a movie we will probably watch "Madagascar" the latest light entertainment animation film from Hollywood. At least the cinemas will be cool but the malls will be full of people all enjoying the weekend. Maybe we can go to the controversial Arroceros park or to the La Mesa Dam eco-park.
Then again we might end up watching films, reading books, playing board games the whole weekend. This reminds me I have to finish reading the books that have piled up in my room.
Yes and probably visit the meeting of the local anabantoid fanciers group somewhere along Roxas boulevard. It depends on how the weekend will shape up. Hopefully no distractions.
Actually my weekend will be longer than the usual. I am going on vacation leave on the 6th and 7th of June. The main reason being the 6th of June is my birthday and I I want to enjoy that day - just being away from the cares of the world.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Politics: Anak ng Jueteng (Son of Jueteng)

READER BEWARE/READER ADVISORY/CAVEAT LECTOR: This post is a commentary on a specific political event affecting Philippines society. The writer while trying to be balanced in his assessment or read of situation is also aware that whatever he does the post will always include his point of views on the matter. As such this not simply a record of events. Thanks!
To the uninitiated jueteng is a form number games in the Philippines and it seems even older than the Philippine Republic. The issue of jueteng has been a thorn on the side of every leader of this country. It has brought down Joseph Estrada and his presidency.
Today it is surfacing again as an issue in Philippine politics. Thanks to the protestation and revelation of Bishop Cruz,the erthswhile enemy of legal and illegal gambling, it has now come to this, a senate inquiry.
Unfortunately, the proceedings at the legislative chambers of the Philippine Senate and the Congress, when I try to glance at it, seems to be a waste of time.
So far the first witness the good bishop has presented has named several well-known figures as receiving protection money. Unfortunately, he also confessed that most of his information is based on hearsay. In other words he was told by another person that the people he pointed were jueteng protectors. I do hope the good bishop presents more substantial evidence. If all his information were or are based on hearsay this investigation is a waste of time and the taxpayers' money.
If you accuse someone it would be better to take them to court. Gather witnesses and more important evidence to support your allegations. You just do not call or allege someone that they are coddlers without proof. I sincerely hope that he has the evidence to pin the guilty parties.
The mantle of religion on a man is not a sign of infalliability or incorruptability. Underneath the titles and symbols of religion is a man no different from any of us partial to mistakes and pride. I just hope he did not make a mistake.
So far no concrete evidence has been presented proving that the personalities alluded to were truly guilty.
If he is unable to prove his accusations then Bishop Cruz will be proven to be his own worst enemy. He will be seen as a modern day version of Joseph McCarthy and all his efforts will discredit his movement. Unfortunately, he will also prove that he was a useful fool that can and has been used by enemies of this government to discredit this government.
I do hope he proves his case. I really do or else his cause will suffer.
Another loser here if this hearing turns out to be a wild goose chase would be the Philippine Senate. At present its investigations are already seen as circuses used to attract attention by posturing politicians, unfortunately or fortunately who are usually the political Tritons of minnows.
A failed investigation will be just another nail in the coffin of the Senate.
Why did the bishop agree to participate in an investigation by a legislative body and not submit the evidence,if any, to the courts. If evidence is really strong maybe perhaps he should just filed a case in the courts.
As it is the whole excercise seems to be an utter waste of the taxpayers' time and money.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

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Yesterday, I watched the latest animation film that hit Metro Manila. In this movie four fauna from the New York Zoo find themselves, through a series of odd events, in the wilds of Madagascar, basically an cartoon films about domesticated animals in the wild a fish-out-of-water story.

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There were people queued at the entrance of Cinema 6 in Gateway Mall and they were not lined up for "Revenge of the Sith". They were there to watch the Mark Meily's latest movie "La Visa Loca".
Originally I had planned to watch it at 5.00 pm but I got too engrossed with writing and surfing the Internet that I forgot the time. I left the office at at around 4:20 and reached MRT-Ayala 4:40. Got on the train along with a sea of people leaving Makati. Fortunately I found myself situated in the area of the train where the two cars meet. This is usually the most comfortable spot when travelling the MRT. However, in front of me was a man who seemed to have been infected with a lesser and more benigh strain of the ebola virus. Needless to say he was coughing and spreading the germs through-out the car.

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Last weekend I found myself going to National Book Store Superbranch, the one beside Gateway Mall, in Cubao. I was curious about the second hand books on sale at the top most floor of the bookstore. I mentioned this a few entries back and noted that there was huge deluge of books and other stuff from WHSmith that had found its way to NBS Superbranch, at half the price. There might be some "new" books and other things on sale. Also I was interested in seeing how the old superbranch has been faring since the new bookstores, Fully Booked and A Different Book Store, opened.